'Deal or No Deal' a success
editor:
The Austin Kirby Foundation and the Carson Valley Children's Center would like to thank the entire community for their tremendous support at the "Deal or No Deal" fundraiser held recently at the Horizon Casino Resort in Lake Tahoe. A total of 420 people attended this jubilant event and they all had a wonderful time. The room was a bright sea of pink as a tribute to Austin's favorite color. It was an extraordinary night for a great cause.
Thanks to your overwhelming generosity, the amazing total of close to $200,000 was raised for Austin's House. This amount is believed to be a record for a single fundraiser in South Lake Tahoe.
Thank you to the entire staff at the Horizon Casino Resort, especially Mike Smith and Jim Pandl. The food was absolutely fabulous. Thank you to all of the volunteers who worked so hard. It took two days just to set up the room for this special event.
Patty Clark, event organizer and founder of the Austin Kirby Foundation, said the entire evening was like magic. "We were really lucky that everything came together so perfectly." The fundraiser was also a celebration of Austin Kirby's life and the wonderful gift of organ donation. Austin was an organ donor and all of his recipients are healthy and doing very well with their new organs. The two ladies that received Austin's kidneys were actually in attendance. There was not a dry eye in the house.
This fundraiser was an excellent example of how our wonderful community comes together for children in need. It is truly heartwarming to live with such generous neighbors.
Austin's House will be a beautiful 5382 square-foot residence providing a safe home environment for up to 10 children from infants to age 17. It will supply the basic living necessities including proper nutrition, hygiene, rest, nurturing, companionship, recreation and education. The facility is designed for short-term placements of Douglas County youth in need of safe housing. The groundbreaking was just held on June 1 and Austin's House is expected to open in 2007.
Austin Kirby Foundation and Carson Valley Children's Center
